The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear

A three-part BBC documentary series, written and produced by Adam Curtis. The films compare the rise of the neo-conservative movement in the United States and the radical Islamist movement, making comparisons on their origins and claiming similarities between the two.

More controversially, it argues that the threat of radical Islamism as a massive, sinister organised force of destruction, specifically in the form of al-Qaida, is a myth perpetrated by politicians in many countries – and particularly American neo-conservatives – in an attempt to unite and inspire their people following the failure of earlier, more utopian ideologies.

Link to three parts on Google Video:

• Part 1: Baby It's Cold Outside
• Part 2: The Phantom Victory
• Part 3: The Shadows in the Cave